Spatula



Oct. 6, 1 931. D. R. BIDDLE 1,825,710.

SPATULA Filed Feb. 15, 1930 INVENTOR Biddle WITNEijES ATTORN EY Patented Oct. 6, 1931 PATENT OFFICE DAVID R. BIDDLE, F ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO SPATULA Application filed February 15, 1930. Serial No. 428,818.

This invention appertains to improvements in spatulas generally, and has for its main object to provide a type of the same especially adapted for use in the handling of'melted Q wax, particularly in the performing of dental mechanics and other laboratory work.

Another object of the invention resides in the spatulas each being provided with a reservoir for receiving a supply of wax which 1 may be melted down for use whenever necessary by holding the reservoir portion of a spatula over a flame or in proximity to any other available heating medium.

i V A further object of the invention is to provide a spatula as hereinbefore characterized, which will have a discharge opening in the same for the out-pouring of the melted wax from the reservoir aforesaid, and a filling opening for the introduction of a suppl of ac wax into the reservoir, with'the edges 0 the latter arranged for use in trimming away surplus portions of the solidified or partially solidified wax after a pouring operation, while the working end of the spatula will be of a shape readily lending it for use for general spatulating purposes, as well as for smoothing down the surfaces of the poured waX.,

,Withthe foregoing and other equally important objects and advantages in view, the invention resides in the certain new and useful combination, construction and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more ful- 7 1y described, set forth in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a practical embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the Working end portion thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical transverse section, taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of a slightly modified form of the improved spatula;

'Figure5 is a fragmentary'vertical longitudinal section of the working end portion of the form of the spatula as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 4 of still another modified form;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through the working end portion of the spatula as shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is another perspective view of a further modified form of the spatula; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through the working end of the spatula as shown in Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several correlated views thereof and more particularly to F igures l to 3 inclusive, the embodiment of the invention, as shown therein by way of example only, is constituted in a tubular body 10 made from any suitable heat resistant material such as pyreX glass or metal, which has one end gradually reduced in diameter, as at 11, outwardly from a point substantially in the plane of the forward side of a filling opening 12 formed in the body.

This reduced end portion 11 has a discharge or pouring opening 13 in its free end and is angularly disposed or curved to one side of the longitudinal axis of the body 10 and sufliciently so to dispose the opening 13 substantially in the plane of that side of the body in which the filling opening 12 is formed.

The edge of the filling opening 13 is preferably up-turned to provide a vertical wall or flanged portion 14 extending entirely about the same, and in such case, the discharge or pouring opening 13, in the free end of the reduced working end 1170f the body 10 is preferably disposed substantially in the plane of the top edge of the wall or flange 14.

By this angular or upwardly curved formation of the reduced working end 11 of the body 10, a reservoir for holding an appreciable amount of material such as dental wax or the like, is provided, which is placed therein through the filling opening 12. When the wax material is reduced to a melted state, which may be readily accomplished by holding the working end of the body 10 in or above a flame or in proximity to any other suitable heating medium, it may thereafter be poured outwardly of the discharge opening 13, as required.

In the use of the device, as thus constructed and arranged and after a supply of wax ma 5 terial in the reservoir has been melted and poured, the poured material, when partially or wholly solidified, may be readily worked and smoothed into desired condition and shape by the outer convex surface of the reduced end portion 11. Also, surplus material may be trimmed away from the main body thereof by the up-turned or flanged portion M of the filling opening 12, and, additionally so, by the edge of the discharge or pouring opening 13, as required in order to produce a finished article or model.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the curved reduced working end 11 of the body will be extended on an arc of a greater length than that of the end 11 of the body 10, as in the first instance of the invention, in order to increase the effective area of spatulation, as well as to project the discharge or pouring end at a slight distance above the plane of the top edge of the upstanding wall or flanged portion 14 surrounding the filling opening 12*.

This arrangement, as a consequence thereof will slightly increase the capacity of the reservoir and also reduce the chance for accidental spilling of the content of the reservoir in the tilting of the device to discharge or pouring position.

In the modified form of the invention, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the reduced end 38- portion 11 of the body 10, is preferably formed with a downwardly depressed or bulged portion 15 at the lower connected end thereof to form a working surface of heellike form while the outwardly inclined side of the end portion 11 is made substantially straight, as at 16, and this straight side extends upwardly from the forward side'of the heel-portion 15 to the discharge or pouring opening 13", which opening, in this instance, is disposed substantially in the plane of the top edge of the vertical wall or flange portion 14" of the filling opening 12", and preferably slightly above the same.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, the modified form of the device as shown therein has the outer lower side of the reduced end portion 11 of the body 1O formed with an inwardly depressed portion 17 outwardly from the forward side of the heel-portion 15, which results in the formation of an outwardly depressed or bulged portion 18 beyond the depression 17 and between the same and the free end of the reduced portion 11. Thus. the lower forwardly and upwardly inclined side of the reduced portion 11 is irregularly curved in a direction lengthwise thereof in order to provide smooth working surfaces for effective use at the various working angles of the device during its manipulation. In this latter instance of the invention,

the free end of the reduced portion 11 of the body 10 will preferably be arranged to project for a distance above the plane of the top edge of the vertical wall or liange portion 1 1 extending about the filling opening 12.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that the several forms of the device may be employed, with or without a wax content, for general spatulation purposes; that, by providing each of the working ends of the devices with the smooth convex surfaces wax models or the like may be readily worked without any possibility of being cut or marred; and that any surplus wax content may be left in any one of the spatulas without danger of spilling when the latter are not in use since the content will solidify by the quick radiation of heat from the devices after initial heating.

\Vithout further description, it is thought that the features and advantages of the in vention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as claimed.

1 claim:

1. A spatula comprising a tubular body having one end outwardly tapered, one side of said body having an opening therein for the placing of a material within the bore of the body and at a point adjacent the connect-- ed end of the said tapered portion for subsequent discharge outwardly of the bore opening through the latter, said tapered portion being angularly offset to one side of the longitudinal axis of the body to present the outer side thereof for spatulation purposes, and an upstanding lip surrounding the said filling opening and adapted for use in trimining models made from the discharged material.

2. A spatula comprising a tubular body having one end outwardly tapered, one side of said body having an opening therein for the placing of a material within the bore of the body and at a point adjacent the connected end of the said tapered portion for subsequent discharge outwardly of the bore opening through the latter, said tapered portion being angularly offset to one side of the longitudinal axis of the body to present the outer side thereof for spatulation purposes, and an upstanding lip surrounding the said filling opening and adapted for use in trimmining models made from the discharged material, the free end of said tapered portion being disposed substantially in the plane of the top edge of the said upstanding lip.

3. A spatula comprising a tubular body having one end outwardly tapered, one side of said body having an opening therein for the placing of a material within the bore of the body and at a point adjacent the connected end of the said tapered portion for subsequent discharge outwardly of the bore opening through the latter, said tapered portion belng angularly offset to one side of the longitudinal axis of the body to present the outer side thereof for spatulation purposes, and an upstanding lip surrounding the said filling opening and adapted for use in trimming models made from the discharged Inaterial the outer side of the said tapered portion being irregularly curved to facilitate the smoothing down of the surface of a finished model.

DAVID R. BIDDLE. 

